Over the years, your senior loved one may have developed a few habits that aren’t good for his or her health. You can use the following strategies to help your parent let go of these unhealthy habits.
1. Recruit Help from Someone Your Loved One Admires
Your loved one may resist listening to your advice or pay no heed to your concerns. Either way, recruiting help from a person your parent admires can add an extra bit of strength to your argument. Seeking assistance from a physician, personal caregiver, or a family member is a good idea.
If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care. Philadelphia Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
2. Suggest Enticing Alternatives
Think of ways your loved one can let go of bad habits and adopt healthier ones. For instance, your parent may find that going to dance lessons is far more fun than sitting in front of the television. Your loved one might also enjoy attending group exercise classes more than visiting a favorite ice cream shop.
3. Start with Small Changes
If you suspect your loved one simply can’t fathom making a major change, suggest starting with a small one. For instance, smoking one less cigarette per day or skipping a sugary dessert can substantially boost health as time goes by.
Older adults who need help making healthy lifestyle choices should consider professional in-home care. Philadelphia senior care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
4. Explore Support Group Programs for Ending Common Habits
Some unhealthy habits are too difficult to break without additional help. If your loved one has an addiction to tobacco, alcohol, food, or gambling, suggest professional counseling. Your loved one can also find support groups for people trying to end major unhealthy habits. These types of changes take time, and your loved one may begin to see the benefits in the long run.
5. Boost Your Loved One’s Emotional Wellbeing
People often pick up bad habits as a way of managing negative thoughts or events. For instance, your loved one may overeat or skip meals if he or she lives alone. Having someone else present at mealtime may be all it takes to get your parent to try a healthy meal plan. Appreciating any healthy lifestyle choices your loved one makes is one of the best ways to boost his or her emotional wellbeing.
Encouraging older adults to give up unhealthy habits can be a challenging task. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Philadelphia, PA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at (215) 645-4663 today.